Premier Division Preview - Saturday 4th February 2017
Fri 3rd February 2017 | General | By Rob Moss
After last weekend's washout, with Atherton Collieries the only team to play, everyone will be hoping for a bit of decent weather to get February off to a good start.
Atherton Colls will look to bounce back from that disappointing defeat in the Vase by taking the points at home against 16th place Barnton. Colls had been two goals to the good up at Cleethorpes, but the home team scored either side of half-time before tucking away the killer blow just shy of the final whistle.
Barnton's recent form saw them raise a few eyebrows with their win against AFC Liverpool a fortnight ago, but they will be fully aware that they need to be really firing on all cylinders to take the points.
It's a similar situation for AFC Darwen as they travel to league leaders Bootle. Darwen have picked up ten points from their last six matches, but will be conscious of their 7-1 home defeat in the reverse fixture back in December. Bootle look pretty unbeatable at the moment with just one league defeat since October, even bagging a place in the Liverpool Senior Cup Semi Final after turning over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
Yet another on-paper mis-match sees 18th placed Barnoldswick Town visiting St Luke's Barton Stadium as they take on third placed 1874 Northwich. One defeat in the last six for Northwich, against their hosts Winsford United, makes them tough opposition for Barlick, whose first outing under their new manager saw them the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at Runcorn Linnets.
Fourth-placed Runcorn Town look to turn around the indifferent form that's seen them drop from top spot when they play host to thirteenth placed Irlam. A late equaliser by Padiham denied Town the points in a poor run which has seen them win just once in the last six.
Irlam's form is similar, with their last win coming in early December, but are sure to really 'give it a go' against the former league leaders.
Runcorn Linnets in fifth visit league strugglers New Mills who precariously sit in the relegation zone, eleven points short of safety. Last season's runners up Linnets were turned over in a 5-2 defeat against Hanley Town early in the New Year, but otherwise will be hoping to take the points in what, on paper at least, ought to be a formality - New Mills will certainly be looking to prove otherwise.
Sixth-placed Padiham travel to Crosby to face seventh-placed AFC Liverpool, with both sides hoping to close in on the leading pack. Four points separate the sides, though Liverpool have played an extra four matches, and their recent form has been dreadful, taking just three points in their last six games.
In contrast, Padiham's only defeat since November was at the hands of league leaders Atherton Colls, so they will be hoping to do the job on Merseyside.
There's a tight match to call where Hanley Town in 8th travel to Manchester to take on West Didsbury and Chorlton, who currently match them on points.
West Didsbury took the spoils when the teams last played just before Christmas, but although Hanley's recent form looks awful, if you consider that they've played 1874 Northwich, Runcorn Linnets, Atherton Collieries and even Stoke City (who they held at 0-0 during the 90 minutes) then you can forgive them for dropping a few points.
Maine Road in 10th travel down to Congleton Town in 17th probably hoping for anything but a draw. The Manchester outfit's defensive ability seems to match their goal-scoring and they've drawn four of the last five, against opponents as diverse as 1874 Northwich and AFC Darwen. Congleton will hope to improve on recent form - they have been on the wrong side of almost everything of late.
Abbey Hey wrap up warm to visit the seaside to take on Squires Gate in a tie which pits 11th against 15th. Abbey Hey, the former, need to take points from this type of game if they are to improve on last year's highest ever finish, and they certainly look capable. Although not a high scoring team, Squires Gate count Bootle amongst their recent scalps, also earning a point away at Runcorn Town and so can't be underestimated.
Twelfth-placed Ashton Athletic face Cammell Laird 1907 who still remain without a win in 30, with the kind of goal-difference that gives nightmares to aspiring goal-keepers. Wins at Abbey Hey and Barnton have settled the New Year nerves for Ashton after their narrow defeat away to 1874 Northwich.
Nelson v Winsford is the game at 'Little Wembley' with Nelson hoping to close the 11 point gap between them and safety from relegation. Winsford's recent form is meteoric however, with wins against Irlam, Congleton, 1874 Northwich and AFC Liverpool, not to mention pushing Stockport County all the way to penalties in the Cheshire Senior Cup. Nelson will have to pull out all the stops if they are to take something from the game.
Premier Division Preview - Saturday 4th February 2017
Fri 3rd February 2017 | General
By Rob Moss
After last weekend's washout, with Atherton Collieries the only team to play, everyone will be hoping for a bit of decent weather to get February off to a good start.
Atherton Colls will look to bounce back from that disappointing defeat in the Vase by taking the points at home against 16th place Barnton. Colls had been two goals to the good up at Cleethorpes, but the home team scored either side of half-time before tucking away the killer blow just shy of the final whistle.
Barnton's recent form saw them raise a few eyebrows with their win against AFC Liverpool a fortnight ago, but they will be fully aware that they need to be really firing on all cylinders to take the points.
It's a similar situation for AFC Darwen as they travel to league leaders Bootle. Darwen have picked up ten points from their last six matches, but will be conscious of their 7-1 home defeat in the reverse fixture back in December. Bootle look pretty unbeatable at the moment with just one league defeat since October, even bagging a place in the Liverpool Senior Cup Semi Final after turning over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
Yet another on-paper mis-match sees 18th placed Barnoldswick Town visiting St Luke's Barton Stadium as they take on third placed 1874 Northwich. One defeat in the last six for Northwich, against their hosts Winsford United, makes them tough opposition for Barlick, whose first outing under their new manager saw them the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at Runcorn Linnets.
Fourth-placed Runcorn Town look to turn around the indifferent form that's seen them drop from top spot when they play host to thirteenth placed Irlam. A late equaliser by Padiham denied Town the points in a poor run which has seen them win just once in the last six.
Irlam's form is similar, with their last win coming in early December, but are sure to really 'give it a go' against the former league leaders.
Runcorn Linnets in fifth visit league strugglers New Mills who precariously sit in the relegation zone, eleven points short of safety. Last season's runners up Linnets were turned over in a 5-2 defeat against Hanley Town early in the New Year, but otherwise will be hoping to take the points in what, on paper at least, ought to be a formality - New Mills will certainly be looking to prove otherwise.
Sixth-placed Padiham travel to Crosby to face seventh-placed AFC Liverpool, with both sides hoping to close in on the leading pack. Four points separate the sides, though Liverpool have played an extra four matches, and their recent form has been dreadful, taking just three points in their last six games.
In contrast, Padiham's only defeat since November was at the hands of league leaders Atherton Colls, so they will be hoping to do the job on Merseyside.
There's a tight match to call where Hanley Town in 8th travel to Manchester to take on West Didsbury and Chorlton, who currently match them on points.
West Didsbury took the spoils when the teams last played just before Christmas, but although Hanley's recent form looks awful, if you consider that they've played 1874 Northwich, Runcorn Linnets, Atherton Collieries and even Stoke City (who they held at 0-0 during the 90 minutes) then you can forgive them for dropping a few points.
Maine Road in 10th travel down to Congleton Town in 17th probably hoping for anything but a draw. The Manchester outfit's defensive ability seems to match their goal-scoring and they've drawn four of the last five, against opponents as diverse as 1874 Northwich and AFC Darwen. Congleton will hope to improve on recent form - they have been on the wrong side of almost everything of late.
Abbey Hey wrap up warm to visit the seaside to take on Squires Gate in a tie which pits 11th against 15th. Abbey Hey, the former, need to take points from this type of game if they are to improve on last year's highest ever finish, and they certainly look capable. Although not a high scoring team, Squires Gate count Bootle amongst their recent scalps, also earning a point away at Runcorn Town and so can't be underestimated.
Twelfth-placed Ashton Athletic face Cammell Laird 1907 who still remain without a win in 30, with the kind of goal-difference that gives nightmares to aspiring goal-keepers. Wins at Abbey Hey and Barnton have settled the New Year nerves for Ashton after their narrow defeat away to 1874 Northwich.
Nelson v Winsford is the game at 'Little Wembley' with Nelson hoping to close the 11 point gap between them and safety from relegation. Winsford's recent form is meteoric however, with wins against Irlam, Congleton, 1874 Northwich and AFC Liverpool, not to mention pushing Stockport County all the way to penalties in the Cheshire Senior Cup. Nelson will have to pull out all the stops if they are to take something from the game.
